CHOICE OF NURSING CAREERS

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33050, 18 October 1972, Page 22

CHOICE OF NURSING CAREERS

The Christchurch School of Nursing offers the following nursing programmes:

Three-year programmes for male and female students in general, psychiatric and, psychopaedic nursing. Students are seconded to various hospitals to obtain clinical experience. The general course is given at Christchurch and Princess Margaret (base hospitals) with secondment to Burwood, Christchurch Women’s, Essex and Sunnyside Hospitals. Psychiatric training is given at Sunnyside Hospital, and psychopaedic at Templeton Hospital. An 18-month programme in Community Nursing for male and female students is given at Burwood (base hospital), with secondment to Christchurch, Princess Margaret, Sunnyside and Essex Hospitals. Post-basic courses for registered nurses are provided as follows:— Six-mouth programmes in midwifery, at Christchurch Women’s Hospital (female students); maternity, at Essex Hospital (female students); post-certificate psychiatric nursing (male and female students) at Sunnyside Hospital; and post-certificate, plastic surgical nursing (male and female students) at Burwood Hospital.

Post-basic courses are also available for registered community nurses — sixmonth endorsement programmes in psychiatric, medical and surgical nursing, pediatric and obstetrical nursing. For the three-year programmes for female and male students, the minimum age at which a student may commence is 17 years. The minimum educational qualification for entry is the standard set out below, namely the criteria recommended by the Department of Education for entry to the sixth form (new school certificate): — Either (i) An aggregate of 180 marks including three subjects 50 per cent; or (ii) An aggregate of 180 marks including two sub-

jects 50 per cent and two subjects 40 per cent; or (iii) An aggregate of 225 marks in up to five subjects with a minimum of 30 per cent in English. Applicants are permitted to aggregate single subject passes to reach the required entrance standard. Preference in the Christchurch School of Nursing is given to those candidates who have passes in English and science subjects. The sixth form certificate and university entrance are also accepted in preference as a standard for entry. Where applicable, candidates may also be required to pass the Christchurch School of Nursing entrance tests before being accepted for training. All candidates for the psychiatric programme have a full psychological assessment. General Programme The three-year general programme has been planned to assist the student to:— Understand the principles of personal and community health and their place in the promotion of health and the prevention of disease. Understand the dynamics of human behaviour and recognise behaviour which deviates from normal.

Understand principles of treatment and develop the skills required to care for patients in hospitals and in their homes.

Develop the ability to assess the needs of individual patients and their families and plan appropriate patient care. Acquire the foundations for advanced preparation in special fields of nursing. Develop the capacity for critical self-appraisal; define and work toward acceptable personal and professional goals; accept responsibility for leadership; become a responsible citizen and professional nurse. Psychiatric programme The three-year psychiatric nursing programme has been planned to assist the student to:— Understand the nature of

human behaviour in health and illness.

Understand the principles of the promotion of mental health, the prevention and detection of mental illness, and the treatment and rehabilitation of patients suffering from psychiatric disorders.

Broaden and deepen knowledge, skills, attitudes, and appreciations in current and future practices' and trends in the area of the mentally ill up to and beyond the basic threeyear programme.

Acquire the knowledge and develop the attitudes and abilities essential to become a psychiatric nurse able to function effectively as a member of the health team in the hospital and in the community. Psychopaedic nursing This curriculum aims:— To provide a professional training for nurses in the care, understanding, management, training and rehabilitation of the mentally subnormal child.

To prepare the nurse for the role of active participation as a member of the professional team concerned with the total care of the subnormal child. In addition it is felt that the nurse should acquire in training the principles of physical nursing care; child development (physical, emotional and mental); and the various aspects of social training and behaviour in relation to the mentally retarded (or mentally subnormal) subject. Community nursing

The objective of the course is to give the community nurse an understanding of:— The principles of maintaining health and preventing disease. Personal relationships.

Nursing principles and how to carry out basic nursing skills.

The reaction to illness of the patient, and his family, so as to be able to give comfort and support. The ethical responsibilties inherent in nursing, and the role of the community nurse as a member of the health team.